50 Biggest Fast Food Chains in America

According to the latest data, the Big Mac isn't as ubiquitous as a 6-inch turkey sub.

By
April Benshosan

August 3, 2018

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50 Biggest Fast Food Chains in America

According to the latest data, the Big Mac isn't as ubiquitous as a 6-inch turkey sub.

ByApril BenshosanAugust 3, 2018

If your goal is to lose 10 pounds fast or simply adopt a healthier lifestyle, it may seem like there’s a taunting drive-thru just around every corner. While it may appear like those bright Golden Arches are more ubiquitous than gas stations or that Starbucks is stalking you, your go-to fast food chains may not actually be the most prolific across the 50 states.

To find out which quick-service restaurants are most abundant in the land, we consulted QSR Magazine‘s most recent report on the top 50 chains with the most U.S. locations. Read on below to see if the results meet your expectations and then discover which healthy fast food dishes are worth forking into at these nation-spanning chains.

El Pollo Loco

Boston Market

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Before being purchased by McDonald’s Corporation in 2002, Boston Market’s rapid expansion to 462 locations left the company in a bit of a financial pickle. Failed attempts to spread globally caused Boston Market to reroute into supermarkets rather than opening new stores.

44

Captain D’s

Since 1969, this hamburger and seafood restaurant has expanded from a small joint in Tennessee to 516 locations. In the process, they dropped the burger from their menu, focusing on competing in the seafood niche market alongside brands like Long John Silver’s.

43

Noodles & Company

Courtesy of Noodles and Co.

With 532 convenient locations ranging from Wisconsin to New York, you can try oodles of noodle combinations or opt for their best-selling Wisconsin Mac & Cheese.

42

Del Taco

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Taco-bout a success story—the first Del Taco opened in California in 1964 and now has 551 fast food joints. If only the tacos were still 19 cents.

41

Steak ‘n Shake

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You can grab a Steakburger at any of Steak ‘n Shake’s 568 locations, although this is the only type of steak you’ll find on the menu. The famous burger is said to be made with a combination of T-bone and sirloin steak, ground like chopped meat.

40

Culver’s

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Although it fell short of In-N-Out when it came in number two for the country’s favorite burger chain, Culver’s boasts a whole 286 more locations than their competitor with 605 across 24 states.

39

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Moe's Southwest Grill

With 680 locations since it’s small start in Georgia in 2000, one of Chipotle’s biggest competitors is still growing.

Wingstop

Firehouse Subs

Firehouse Subs was started by the firemen and police officers of the Sorensen family in 1994. Since then, news of the famous sandwiches caught fire and the franchise has expanded to 1,037 locations in 44 states.

Jersey Mike’s Subs

Despite its name, Jersey Mike’s has expanded way past its original Jersey roots. Today, its 1,187 locations can be found all across the country and are even gaining popularity on the West Coast, especially in Southern California.

27

Auntie Anne’s

Courtesy of Auntie Anne's

Although the pretzel chain is mostly known for their shopping mall stands, Auntie Anne’s originally started at a farmer’s market as a way for founder Anne Beiler to support her husband’s dream of a free family counseling center, and boy did it pay off—the franchise now has 1,300 locations.

26

Five Guys

Courtesy of Five Guys

When Five Guys started franchising in 2003, the Virginia headquartered company began a period of rapid expansion that has failed to stop since. Today you can enjoy burgers, fries, and a selection of shakes that includes the signature bacon shake, at any of the chains 1,421 locations.

Panda Express

You can pick up your favorite chow mein, orange chicken, fried rice, and more at any of this fast-casual chain’s 1,893 locations, most of which are located in mall food courts. Who doesn’t love Chinese food and shopping?

Chipotle

With a little bit of help from their largest investor, McDonald’s, Chipotle expanded from just 16 restaurants in 1998 to 500 by 2005. These days, you can get your favorite Mexican fare from any of the 2,198 locations.

Carl’s Jr. & Hardee’s

While Carl’s Jr. dominates the West Coast and Hardee’s the east, the sister fast food chains boast 3,011 locations across the nation altogether.

15

Arby’s

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Widely praised for the classic roast beef sandwiches that Arby’s has been slow-roasting since the mid-sixties, the sub shop climbed to 3,358 spots in 2016.

14

Papa John’s

Courtesy of Papa Johns

Although Papa John’s prides itself in using “better ingredients” and therefore serving up better pizza than its competitors, its lowly 3,441 locations compared to Pizza Hut and Domino’s aren’t doing the brand justice.

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen may have 4,517 units across the coasts, but the Blizzard sovereign’s fan food is no match for the Frosty and McFlurry.

9

Domino’s

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When Domino’s opened up shop in 1960, the now-global chain consisted of just a single location that was dubbed DomiNick’s. Fast forward six decades later, and the pizza QSR has 5,371 locations under its belt.

Subway

The prolific sub shop boasts a whopping 26,744 locations across the nation, beating its closest competitor, Arby’s, by almost eightfold. If you find yourself frequenting the home of the $5-dollar footlong, don’t miss our exclusive report, Every Subway Sandwich—Ranked for Nutrition!

No-Diet Weight Loss—Guaranteed!

Look, feel and live great while getting on the path to better health with the new Eat This, Not That! Magazine